Guidelines for Athletic Directors & Coaches

Students with Sickle Cell Trait Can Participate in Sports

Most athletes with SCT will train and play without ever experiencing exercise-related problems. However, in the rare case that they do, athletic directors and coaches have a duty to have protocols in place to keep their athletes safe.

Athletic directors must develop a plan.

Know Your Athletes and the Warning Signs

Carefully review physical exam and health history report for all athletes.
Be sure your coaches and training staff are aware of which athletes, if any, carry the Sickle Cell Trait.
Educate staff and players about the warning signs of exercise-induced illness and discuss a plan for what should be done if symptoms arise.

Symptoms May Include:

Muscle cramping without tingling
Muscle weakness, athlete may slump to the ground
Rapid breathing
Feeling overheated
Prolonged exhaustion

Condition Safely and Manage the Symptoms

All athletes should condition safely. Those who carry SCT should stay hydrated, limit caffeine and energy drinks, and begin exercise gradually.

Should a player experience symptoms of exercise-induced illness, stop exercising immediately. Efforts should be made to rest, hydrate and cool the player.

What to Do:

Stop exercising immediately; allow the player to rest
Check vital signs
Administer high-flow oxygen
Provide water to rehydrate the athlete
Move the player to a cool place and cool with wet towels or ice, if necessary

Symptoms should improve with rest. If not, call 911.

Get Emergency Assistance, If Necessary

If symptoms do not improve or get worse, seek emergency medical care.

* Sources:
National Athletic Trainers' Association - Consensus Statement: Sickle Cell Trait and the Athlete
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Coaches: Don't Let Your Athletes Get Sidelined by Sickle Cell Trait!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Team Doctors (Trainers): Don't Let Your Athletes Get Sidelined by Sickle Cell Trait!